Plus an astrology and tarot forecast, writing ritual, and herbal lore for the new moon in Gemini.

The May 2025 new moon falls in the sign of Gemini. The Gemini archetype is very curious, an excellent communicator, and a disseminator of knowledge. It is the sign of the writer, of those who tend to think deeply, are highly perceptive, and prefer to learn from experience.
Spiritually, the Gemini archetype is about courageous conversation, be it with another person or with the Universe. Gemini adds its vibration to the advancement of culture and civilization through dialogue, be that via books or blogs or letters.
This new moon is a potent time to plant new seeds, nurture cherished relationships, and potentially enter into collaborations or partnerships.
It’s a new moon that is ripe for dream-weaving, for whispering your wishes into the ether, for laying the ground work for a cherished goal. It’s also a great time to plan something that excites you, be it a workshop, an art project, or a weekend trip. If you’re looking for a promotion or pay raise at work, or even for a new job, this would be a good time to lay down the groundwork that would help you achieve the outcome you desire.
Astro-tarot influences for the May 2025 new moon
To throw some more light on the May new moon astrology, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Gemini new moon falls in decan 1, which is represented by the Eight of Swords. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Lovers, which is associated with Gemini.

The Daily Pause Oracle Deck
I designed this beautiful, 40-card oracle deck to bring in some stillness, to give us a word or an idea to reflect on as we go about our day.
Supported by the four elements – earth, air, fire, water – and a carefully thought-out structure that connects the cards, The Daily Pause oracle will help you to listen to and trust your own inner knowing.
There’s no learning curve involved with using this deck. Just get quiet, shuffle the cards, pull one out, and reflect on the word you’re presented with.
As I look at these cards, the words “love will set you free” float into my awareness, so let’s unpack that a bit.
When I say “love will set you free”, I don’t mean romantic love. I mean the things you love. So often, we get caught up in analysis paralysis, fears and anxieties, old stories and patterns and loops that prevent us from really going after what lights us up. Sometimes, I think we are almost afraid of reaching for the things that deeply matter to us, be it due to the fear of failure, or social or cultural conditioning.
But if we don’t let love guide us; if we don’t follow our interests, our passions, our curiosities, our loves; if we remain stuck because we are afraid of the outcome — be that failure or even success, because sometimes we even fear success — something within us shrivels and atrophies and dies. And that is no real way to live.
So what if you were brave enough to drop the ropes that bind you? To break through the walls of defenses you’ve built around yourself? To walk towards what feels right, what feels alive, what lights you up?
There may be losses and failures, yes! There may be accolades and success, too, and maybe success won’t be as scary as you think. Or there may be just the simple pleasure of taking the unmarked path and walking to your own drumbeat.
But unless you pull down those walls, you will never know…you will keep yourself imprisoned in a lie of your own making…and you will always regret the road not taken.
With the moon forming a conjunction with Mercury, which rules Gemini, supercharging your communications, and Uranus, the planet of change, expect heightened mental clarity and inspired insights and a-ha moments. Breakthroughs and shake-ups are very likely under this lunation. If you write or teach, this is a good time to express any new ideas that have been percolating for a while. Try expressing yourself differently — try your hand at poetry or haiku, launch a podcast, or plan out a communication plan or strategy for your work or business.
The moon also forms a trine with Pluto, which offers excellent energy for shadow work or speaking truth to power, the very themes we’ve been exploring through the lens of tarot. If you were hoping for a cosmically aligned time to change your story and own your voice, this is it!
The Gemini new moon also forms a sextile with Neptune, the planet of dreams and visions, and Saturn, the architect of structure and discipline. This alignment can help you to build some foundations under your dreams. If you’ve felt stuck or unsure about a particular decision, the May 2025 new moon in Gemini can bring clarity and insights, not just from logic alone, but from deep intuitive knowing.
Overall, this new moon in Gemini can help you clear out the mental cobwebs, undo the ties that bind you and walk purposefully towards the path that you know is meant for you.
Herbal medicine for the Gemini new moon
Every new moon, I will choose a herb for us based on the astrology around the moon, using the Herbal Astrology Oracle by Adriana Ayales. I’ll include a bit about the herbal lore and some guidance that you can weave in to your new moon workings.

The herb that I chose for the May 2025 new moon in Gemini is Amanita.
Associated with Mercury, Neptune, and Pluto, all three of which are active during this new moon, Amanita has been used in folk medicine since at least 6000 BC, making it one of the earliest hallucinogenic plants in use for religious and shamanic purposes.
Although it is considered a deadly poison, the tradition of consuming this mushroom for enjoyment and as an aphrodisiac still continues. It was also used medicinally, to treat snake bites, joint ailments, and psychological fatigue.
Amanita indicates that your channel is open, and your gift of insight and ability to see through the veil are now heightened. Amanita also reminds you to embody the medicine of children — to play, sing, make art, and spread some joy in the world, especially in these times when things seem dismal and grim, we need to increase our capacity to experience playfulness. If you feel disconnected or ungrounded, Amanita reminds you to come back to your breath.
Note: I am not a herbal practitioner, and the herbs that I choose for us on each new moon are not meant to be ingested. If you own a copy of the Herbal Astrology Oracle, you can place the card on your altar. Alternately, you can find a photograph of the herb and paint or sketch it in your journal while you reflect on its healing properties and how they may resonate with you.
Tarot spread for the May 2025 Gemini new moon
Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this new moon.

Caged: What mental cage are you currently trapped in?
Blinders: What truth are you refusing to see?
Release: What inner resource or mindset shift will help you break out of the cage?
Walk: What path opens up for you as you step out of the cage?
Mamma moon says: This is always an encouraging message
If you share your spreads on Instagram, please tag me @moderngypsy.in so we can connect with each other.
A simple writing ritual (writual) for the Gemini new moon
For this new moon, I have a little writual (writing ritual) for you. I hope you enjoy it, and that it brings you some interesting insights.
You will need:
A journal and pen or your favorite note taking app
Some calming, instrumental music
A timer {the one on your phone is perfect}
Your planner
Optional: a calming incense like lavender
The writual:
Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths. Feel your body settle as you arrive into this space.
Put on some instrumental music. Light some incense.
Get your journal or open up your notes app. Set a timer for 10 minutes and free-write, or use one of the prompts below to free-write to:
If I could silence my fears and expectations, I would choose to…
If I’m being honest, I would love to…
When I close my eyes, I can clearly envision…
I am tired of feeling/thinking/behaving…
Now look over what you’ve written. Circle or highlight any recurring thoughts, desires, fears, or ah-ha moments.
Ask yourself: What’s calling for my attention? What’s asking to be heard, honored, or released?
On a fresh page, write a few sentences or a list that answers this question: What is true for me right now?
From that reflection, choose one truth, desire, or next step that feels aligned. Write it down clearly, like an intention or commitment: “I choose to…” or “I’m ready to…”
Make a note of your intention in your planner. If possible, list out a few weekly tasks that would help you stay committed to your intention.
Once you’re done, place your hands over your heart. Repeat your intention or commitment aloud or in your mind.
Take a nice, deep breath and you’re ready to go about the rest of your day.
Learn how to work with the cycles of mama moon!
Are you interested in spending an entire year cycling with the moon, creating art, journaling, and deepening your connection with mama moon? Would you like to learn art witchery, establish your own art witch practice, and use mixed media art as a spiritual tool? Join me on Moonshine 2025 – a year-long journey into the realm of moon-based art witchery in all its glorious forms, hosted by Effy Wild!
You will join a coven of the most fabulous moon-loving art witches, some of whom have been in the program since its inception in this format six years ago!
Here’s what you get:
- Membership in this year’s Moonshine Coven + Lifetime membership in Moonshine Cafe (both on Facebook).
- A monthly PDF of written musings, including an art witch primer with suggested activities and resources that, when collected over the course of the year, forms a complete training system in art witchery. Included within the course materials are art witch tips, new essential oil blends, astro-tarot forecasts, oracle reading layouts, herbal lore and crystal lore.
- A full-length monthly painting tutorial (downloadable video + PDF walkthrough).
- Documentation for each full and new moon, both of which include astro-tarot forecasts and oracle reading layouts.
- A new painting demonstration for the new moon (filmed live on Zoom so we can paint together + offered as a downloadable replay for those who can’t attend live).
- A new painting demonstration for the FULL MOON (filmed live on Zoom so we can circle up and paint together. This is also offered as a downloadable replay for those who can’t attend live.
- A live activation gathering on Zoom in the first week of the month (also offered as a downloadable replay). In these gatherings, we read the content together, do Q&A, check-ins and draw a tarot card to establish our ‘coven work’ (optional) for the month. Sometimes there are additional exercises, meditations, or other things to try.
This experience is meant to give you deep training in art witchery AND mixed media art as a spiritual tool with an emphasis on establishing your own art witch practice based on thorough, scaffolded guidance that will get you sound, self-possessed, and in pursuit of your most deeply held desired outcomes.
Sounds interesting? Click the button for more details + to sign up!